COLORIMETRIC EVALUATION OF THERMOOXIDATIVE DEGRADATION OF NYLON-6 FIBERS

Nylon 6 fibers were annealed in air at 160 degrees C for periods rangi ng from 1 to 10 h. Their spectral reflectance values were measured. Co lor parameters, including luminance factor, dominant wavelength, purit y, and the color difference between annealed nylon 6 fiber samples and unheated ones were calculated. The observed Variations in the colors of samples were assumed due to the thermal and oxidation degradations. The behavior of the color parameters with heating duration was compar ed with the general kinetic curve of thermooxidative degradation of po lymers and the match between them is discussed. The color difference D elta E Values is recommended for monitoring the thermooxidative degrad ation of nylon 6 fibers. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.